The Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese. Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adeshina has unveiled a newly built Marian grotto donated by Sir and Lady Emmanuel Abiodun Osibajo to the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Imomo-Ijebu.
Bishop Adeshina commended the charitable gesture of the couple, who are members of the Knights and Ladies of St. Mulumba, Ikorodu Sub-Council, and noted that such a gesture was worth emulating as it would help to further spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“I wish to commend the charitable gesture of the donors, Sir and Lady Osibajo, who have thought it wise to donate this beautiful grotto of Inmaculate Conception to help deepen the faith of the good people of Imomo and environs. While I commend the donors to the protective arm of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I pray that all who come to this ground to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary will receive positive answers to their prayers in line with God’s will for them.”
Bishop Adeshina, who celebrated the Mass shortly after the dedication of the grotto, also stressed the need to safeguard historic monuments and relics in the diocese for posterity.
He specifically challenged the priests and parishioners of Holy Trinity to join hands with him to ensure the old church building, now in a dilapidated state, which was built in 1903 is refurbished and turned into a historic monument to attract tourism.
On the ground to welcome the Bishop was the parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr Reginald Mario Isama, SMM, his Associate, Rev. Fr. Francis-Mary Okposio SMM, who Con-Celebranted at the Mass, the donors and their children, members of the Parish Pastoral Council, the CMO, CWO, and the entire parishioners, including those from the outstations who turned out in their numbers to witness the event.
A day before, a surprise 55th birthday celebration was organized by Sir. Emmanuel Osibajo for his wife, Sister Felicia Osibajo, at the nearby Holy Trinity Primary School. The event, which was preceded by a Thanksgiving Mass, attracted dignitaries from within and without Ijebu-Ode, including the Grand Knight of the Ikorodu Sub-Council, Sir Anthony Olusola Akinjayeju, Lagos.
